LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Kentucky men?s soccer team returns to action, fresh off a 1-1 tie with undefeated Michigan State on Sunday, as it plays host to Eastern Illinois on Friday at the UK Soccer Complex.
Kentucky (1-3-2) has battled injury issues throughout the season, at times missing seven members of the regular playing rotation. Among the key players to miss playing time this season include Lucas Carden (So., MF), Jase Griffiths (So., MF), Bingy Lara (Jr., MF), Luke Maitland (Fr., F), and Issam Sawtarie (So., D), Senior defensive stalwarts Andrew Alexander and Nathan Marks, the preseason Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year, have also missed time this season.
The Wildcats have been paced by a combination of fresh-faced talent, including leading scorer Aaron Swanson. The senior transfer from Dayton has netted three goals, while firing nine total shots from his forward position. Fellow transfer Tim Crone, a sophomore forward, has also stepped up with two goals this season, providing some quickness to the UK frontline. Sophomore defender Barry Rice has also contributed two goals from his back-line post. Rice, who was a 2006 C-USA All-Freshman team selection, has started all six games for UK, playing in every minute for a depleted UK defense. Several freshmen have emerged in the primary rotation, including Maitland, Stephen Beiro (D), Tyler Burns (MF), Miles McDougal (MF), C.J. Tappel (MF), and Jirijoonas Kanth (MF).
In goal for UK, keeper Dan Williams has performed admirably, saving 31 shots. Williams, a 2006 C-USA All-Freshman team selection, started the first 14 games of the Wildcats 14-win 2006 season, before suffering a season-ending injury.
Last time out, UK battled undefeated Michigan State to a dramatic 1-1 tie. UK?s Rice netted a goal in the 18th minute to put the Wildcats up front early. In the 39th minute, UK was called for a foul in the Spartan box, setting up the game-tying penalty kick. The tie concluded the Michigan Invitational, which saw the Wildcats drop a decision to No. 18 Michigan Friday night. Three Wildcats were honored as members of the UM Invitational All-Tournament team, including Rice, Williams, and Brad Frederick (MF).
Eastern Illinois (5-1-1) enters the game fresh off a 2-0 win over IUPUI on Wednesday. EIU is led by Brad Peters, who has contributed three goals and a team-high three assists, and Alex Harrison who has also netted three goals and one assist. Meanwhile, keeper Mark Hansen has totaled a 0.68 goals against average, saving 28 shots, and posting three clean sheets. The Panthers lone blemish on the season came in a 2-0 loss to Dayton.
?Eastern Illinois is 5-1 on the season and will present a real tough test for us,? Kentucky head coach Ian Collins said. ?They are a strong, athletic team that really is well organized. This game will present a difficult challenge for us and we will have to come out and play well.?
Kentucky and EIU will be meeting for the first time.
Kickoff between the Wildcats and Panthers is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. EDT. Live stats will be available at UKathletics.com. Tickets are $5 for adults and $2 for children. Students, faculty, and staff can receive free admission with a valid UK ID.
